Album Review: Jennifer Nettles’ ‘Playing With Fire’

Never has Nettles turned up the heat as much as she does on her second solo album.

Album Review: Jennifer Nettles’ ‘Playing With Fire’
Photo courtesy Big Machine Records

This news flash just in… Jennifer Nettles has a little bit of a sensual aura about her. OK, change that verbage to “a lot.” I first noticed this fact on the Sugarland single from 2008 – “All I Wanna Do.” Her “Ooh Ooh Ooh’s” had the same effect on me as Conway Twitty did with his “Bom Bom Boms” from the classic “You’ve Never Been This Far Before” in 1973.

However, never has Nettles turned up the heat as much as she does on her second solo album, Playing With Fire. Take Holly Williams’ seductive masterpiece “Three Days In Bed,” for example. Nettles wraps her vocal around the ballad with a stranglehold and doesn’t let go until she draws you in. And, there’s more where that comes from. “Chaser” has the same urgency – only times ten. Simply put, she has never sounded more sensual. To say it’s not for the faint of heart would be an understatement.

But, it’s not all things carnal on this disc. Nettles strikes pure emotion on “Unlove You,” the set’s first single, and tackles new territory on the gem “Salvation Works.” There’s also a fun and sassy side – something we’re used to seeing in her previous life – in “Drunk In Heels” and the infectious “Sugar,” which I have no doubt will wind up becoming a crowd favorite. She takes to the track with undeniable swagger and confidence.

Jennifer Nettles Playing With Fire Album

Still, even after all these reasons to purchase the disc – or download it (as evidenced by my Twitty reference, I am still very much old school!), it would be a worthwhile buy even if Nettles looped “Starting Over” eleven times and called it an album. It is seriously that good. Her emotion is undeniable on the track, and where she might have went for the rafters vocally a few years ago (as she can do well), her decision to show a little restraint makes this among the best performances of her career – on a par with “Stay” and “The Very Last Country Song” – if you’ve not heard the latter, check it out. You’ll be dumbfounded.

And, oh yeah. There’s J-Lo. Pop icon Jennifer Lopez teams up with Nettles to write and perform the album’s closer, “My House.” The song serves as a reminder that even with the differences that we might have – in lifestyles, beliefs, or musical genre, we’re more alike than different.

Nettles has definitely hit a home run with this disc. Her talent and drive are in full view, and this album should move her to the front of the line – and maybe make her the subject of a few fantasies along the way!